{Awesome Day......}

Today was AWESOME....I went to church this morning and guess who our guest for the day was??



RICARDO SANCHEZ!!

That's right, the man that wrote that beautiful song, Moving Forward. (I featured it here a few days ago)

I felt like the Spirit was totally moving today, and it was amazing to see him perform it live, as well as lead our praise and worship time this morning!

Thank you Ricardo for joining us!!
(side note...I was so mad I didn't get to go get a photo with him, but I was volunteering after service to pass out booklets for our church wide bible study! But he was standing right across from me! lol)

{Recipe of the Day: Easy, kid friendly, pizza!}

this pizza is so easy, your kids can even help and its all done in UNDER 30 minutes! No Kidding!!

Here is what you will need:
2pkg. popcan type biscuits
1 1/2C. prepared pasta sauce
2C. grated cheese
1/2pkg. sliced pepperoni (or any type of toppings you would like)

Here is how to make it:
1. pre heat your oven according to the brand of biscuits you purchased

2. place parchment paper or a silpat onto a baking sheet and spray lightly with PAM type spray. then open biscuits and place on sheet, sides touching.

3. push biscuits down so they start to form a crust. Don't worry if there are gaps between them, they will fill in as you cook the pizza.

4. spread top with pasta sauce, then sprinkle on cheese, pepperoni, and any other toppings you would like.

5. bake according to the biscuit's that you purchased PLUS 5 minutes to make sure they are cooked through....make sure to keep an eye on them because ovens vary! :)

{Menu Planning: Tips}

Hey Everyone! Long time, no blog! But I have so many blogs planned, I hope I don't have a very long pause!

Anyway, I wanted to give you all a post today about something I get asked about ALL THE TIME....Menu Planning!

I think sometimes we are at a loss with menu planning and just don't know where to start. We all know we should do it, but we just don't! So I wanted to put all of your questions together that you have sent me and tell you what I do! :)

Q: How long does it take you to plan a menu?
A: Well, I plan 3 meals a day for 4 people, so it takes me about an hour and a half to plan a menu and get a shopping list together.

Q: How do you decide what you will eat?
A: First, I search through all the local store ads and write down all the good deals, so I know to make my meals out of those products. Then, I ask everyone in the family if there is anything in particular that they would like to eat this week, and try to take those suggestions into consideration.

Q: Where do you find recipes?
A: Well, I don't really use "recipes", but I use ideas from them, more as a guideline I guess. I love searching other blog's, my old site, Gourmet Momma, the girls over at cook it, blog it (another cooking site I run...I think I am seeing a pattern here) I also use cook books, books from my culinary school, and sometimes, I just make stuff up! GET CREATIVE!!!

Q: do you use coupons to determine your meals?
A: yes and no. If I have a coupon that is for something we will eat, I will save it, if its for something I know we wont like or that is really bad for you, even if it makes it free, I don't use it. So I write down my coupons along with the sales flyer info so I know what to use.

Q: where do you keep your menu plan?
A: Well, on that little pad up there at the top, its on my fridge!

TIPS WORTH NOTING:
--make sure you plan our side dishes with all your meals
--have plenty of fruit and healthy snacks on hand so people dont eat things that are supposed to be cooked into dinner!
--look through your fridge, freezer, cabinets, pantry, etc. BEFORE you shop, so you know that you have three bottles of dressing already and you dont need anymore for that salad you want on Tuesday.
--HAVE FUN...this is menu planning, not brain surgery! If you try something new and your family doesn't like it, keep some pasta and sauce in the pantry at all times to whip up a simple meal you know they will all love! :)

I hope this helps! If you have any menu planning strategies, let me know in the comments section below! :)

{Banana Nut Waffles}

So, I LOVE me a good waffle, but add in some mashed up banana's and some walnuts, and I am in waffle heaven!

Check out my latest creation:




Banana Nut Waffles-
What you will need:
4 eggs
1C. milk
1T. baking powder
1/2t. salt
1 1/2C. All Purpose Flower
1/2C. wheat flour (you can use all wheat or all AP to taste)
1/2C. (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
1T. sugar (I used all natural!)
1T. vanilla
2 over ripe banana's, mashed
1C. walnuts, chopped

In a bowl, beat your eggs until fluffy, then add in butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk.

Sift in dry ingredients, and mix just till combined (there will be some lumps, this is ok!)

Fold in mashed banana and nuts
(I left this step for last, because if you have picky eaters, the waffle recipe is perfect by its self, so you can make your kid's waffles first, then add in the banana and nuts for you!)

Cook on your waffle iron until done! :) ENJOY....

I know Lagan did!!

{End of the Grocery Challenge!}

The All You grocery challenge is over!!!!! I'm so sad...but I had an amazing time blogging recipes and food posts and sharing money saving tips!

Thanks to everyone for putting up with my lack of decorating and projects while I was food crazy! hehe

I have posted my final totals on the side bar if your interested. All of my receipts are in a baggie and labeled for safe keeping! :)
Gosh, I hope I win!! hehe

As to everyone who asked if I would still be making recipe posts...YES!!! Just not every day! :) But I will be posting recipes and more food photos, so stay tuned.

{Sunday Inspiration...Moving Forward}

Today in church, I witnessed Christ in work, right before my eyes!

One of our amazing Pastors was talking about the Bible stating we are all Priests, a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-12). Priests are there to help people when they need it, cry with them when they need someone to cry with, pray with them when they need someone to pray with, etc. We should all be able to do this as the body of Christ. Not because we are perfect, but because God calls us to as His people.

So, Pastor Earl asked for everyone who has lost their jobs due to the economy to raise our hands. Many, many, many hands went up in the air.

Then he asked, who will not be able to pay their rent this month? A lady sitting a few seats away from us raised her hand, and Pastor Earl asked her to come forward. The lady's name is Ann.

Ann said that she left New York and a good job to move here to take care of her 6 month old grandson, because his parents are in jail!
Pastor earl asked her..."how much is your rent?" "$890.00" Ann said.

Pastor Earl then said "Can anyone in here be a Priest for Ann?" I stood in awe with tears running down my face as 3000 people walked to the front to hand cash to Ann. Some with $1.00, some with $100 or more. Adults, Children, people in wheelchairs, Christians, and those that had not yet given their life to Christ...all being Priests for this woman. I stood there thinking...Jesus...you are here right now! I can feel you, I can see you, I know you are here!

I am crying right now writing this because I know there are so many people who have lost hope. They are living in the world and don't have anyone to give them direction. They don't have a Priest to go to. As Ann left the church, she told my step dad that this was her FIRST time at our church! God had a plan for her, and He has a plan for you!

So I want to share this song with you as a reminder....we are all Priests to someone. What can you do, big or small to help someone move ahead with their life?

Let's all....Move Forward! :)
Blessings

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

What a moment
You have brought me to
Such a freedom
I have found in You
your the Healer

You make all things new
Yeah Yeah Yeah
I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You have risen
With all power in Your Hands
You have given me
A second Chance
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You make all things new
You make all things new
I will follow You forward